Fluid pressure operated multiple clutch



March l5, 1949. H, VANDERZEE 2,464,538

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED MULTIPLE CLUTCH Mardi l5, 1949. H, H, .VANDERZEE 2,464,538

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED MULTIPLE CLUTCH v sheets-shea 2 Filed Feb. 27. v1946 jwM/m- Marh l5, 1949. H H, VANDERZEE .2,464,538

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED MULTIPLE CLUTCH 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. gv, 194e' March l5, 1949. H, H, VANDERZEE 2,464,538

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED MULTIPLE CLUTCH Filed Feb. 27, 1946 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 @Plld "N6 VH1. YE

. Inl/23112211'.

H. H. vANDERzEE 2,464,538

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED MULTIPLE CLUTCH March l5, 1949.

7 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Feb. 27, 19464 March 15, 1949. H, H VANDERZEE 2,464,538

FLUID PRESSURE OPEBATED MULTIPLE CLUTCH Filed Feb. 27, 1946 v '1 sheets-sneu 6 March l5,` 1949. H, H VAMQERZEEl v2,464,538

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED MULTIPLE CLUTCH Filed Feb. 27, 1946 '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Mimi,

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I l Patented Mar.15,11 -9 4 9 i "2f-.46.4533- FLUID PnEssURE'oPERATED CLUTCH Harry YH.4 Vanderzee, Racine, Wis., assigner to TwinDscClutch Company,. Racine,' AWis., va

l My invention relates to a power transmission for intel-posing between driving and driven shafts,

practice of delivering `this thrust to the gear-housing and thence to the hull.

including capacity for speed reduction and reversi ing. andis more particularly concerned with providing a' transmission of thisA character for marine service.

In marine power installations, particularly those employing internal combustion engines, it is necessary to step down the speed of the engine to a point that is satisfactory for the eilicient operation of the propeller. Ordinarilyl this reduction is effected through a suitable arrangement of gearing which includes reversing means. The reduction features of this invention, however, may be omitted wherever desired, as it simply constitutes an ancillary phase of the transmission.

One object of the invention is to devise a transmission which incorporates direct andv reverse driving gears whose selection is determined by the operation of hydraulically controlled clutches, one each for the direct and reverse drives, and in which the engaged clutch is subjected to constantly acting liquid pressure.

A further object is to provide a transmission of the character indicated in which the cylinders for the hydraulically operated clutches are constantly iilled with Oilunder pressure to compensate for leakage and insure quicker action, the pressure in the cylinder of the engaged clutch being higher than that in the cylinder of the disengaged clutch.

A further object is to devise a dual, hydraulically operated, clutch mechanism for controlling the transmission in which the oppositely acting pistons are tied together for simultaneous movement, thereby counteracting pressures set up in the cylinders by centrifugal force acting on the working liquid.

A further object is to devise -a hydraulically operated, clutch mechanism in which provision is made for preventing theworking liquid from being fed too rapidly to the cylinders to insure a relatively slow and cushioned take-up of the load.

A further object is to devise an inexpensive and simple method of providing a multi-passage path in a shaft for delivering oil to hydraulically actuated clutches which involves the use of telescoped tubes.

A further object is to devise a marine gear as indicated which incorporatesvan arrangement for transmitting the propeller thrust directly to the hull of the ship as contrasted with the usual These and further objects of theinvention will be set forthin the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and the novel means by which said objects are effectuated will be denitely pointed out in the claims. v

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the transmission showing the dual clutch mechanisms in neutral position.

Fig. 2 is an endview of the -transmission looking in the direction of the arrow 2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, sectional view ofA the upper portion of the transmission as it appears in' Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the hydraulic system for operating the clutches. j

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, sectional view of the pressure relief valve which regulates the amount of hydraulic pressure in each cylinder of the dual clutches, the section being taken along the line 5-5 in Figs. 2 and 6 and the valve being shown in non-relieving position.

Figs. 6 and 7 are end and plan views of the relief valve looking in the direction of the arrows 6 land l, respectively, in Fig. 5, Fig. 6 showing the valve as it appears in Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is anl enlarged section of the operating valve for controlling the dual, hydraulically operated, clutch mechanisms, the section-being taken along the line 8 8 in Figs. 2 and 9 and the valve being shown in neutral position.

Figs. 9-and 10 are end and plan views of the operating valve looking in the direction of the arrows 9 and I 0, respectively, in Fig. 8, Fig. 9 showing the valve as it appears in Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view-of the main shaft of the transmission showing the concentrictube arrangement for delivering Working liquid to the clutch cylinders.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section along the line I2-i2 in Fig. 1 showing the idler gear for transmitting a reverse drive to the countershaft.

Fig. 13 is a section along the line I3--I3 in Fig. l2.

Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of relief valve corresponding to the valve Fig, 15 is a plan view looking in the direction of kthe arrow l5 in Fig. 14. Y

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the numeralv l0 designates an internally toothed, driving 'ring' I I 11.2.46453315 f which may be bolted to a driving member, such as an engine flywheel (not shown), and which is in constant mesh with a peripherally toothed, driven spider II that is keyed to a main shaft I2. The

shaft I2 is Journale-d in the front and rear walls I3 and |4, respectively, of a housing I5. Freely journaled on the shaft I2 adjacent the wall I3 is a pinion I6 and a like pinion I1 issimilarly mounted on the shaft adjacent the wall I4. Selective operation of the pinions I6 and I1 is eected by hydraulically operated, dual clutch mechanisms generally indicated by the numeral|8 and hereinafter described. The pinion I6 is in constant mesh with a gear I9 keyed to a countershaft that is also journaled in the end walls I3 and I4 and has secured thereto externally of the housing a coupling part 2| for attachment to a propeller shaft (not shown) thus providing for direct drive through the transmission. The pinion I1 is drivably connected through an idler gear 22 (see Figs. 12 and 13) that is journaled on a stub shaft 23 carried by the rear wall I4 with a gear 24 keyed to the countershaft 20, thus providing for reverse drive when the associated clutch mechanism is actuated.

The hydraulic system for controlling the direction of drive through the transmission is schematically illustrated in Fig. 4 wherein the numeral 25 designates a sump for the working liquid which characteristically is the lubricating oil for the transmission and the sump ordinarily being constituted by the lower portion of the transmission housing I5. The oil is drawn from the sump 25 through a illter 26 by a gear pump 21 and is 'forced under pressure through a relief valve 28 and an operating valve 29 tothe clutch actuating cylinders and 3| in the manner presently described. The arrangement is such that when the operating valve 29 is in a neutral position, corresponding to the similar position of the transmission, the relief valve 28 provides for a relatively low pressure, for example, about five pounds per square inch, in the cylinders 30 and 3|, thereby insuring that the cylinders are constantly lled to compensate for leakage and further insuring a rapid increase in the pressure in either cylinder depending upon the direction of movement of the operating valve 29. When the valve 29 is shifted to a forward drive position, the pressure in the forward drive cylinder 30 is increased rapidly to an actuating pressure of, for example, one hundred pounds, while that in the cylinder 3| remains at lve pounds. For reverse drive, the pressure conditions in the cylinders are reversed. In the hydraulic system, that oil which does not reach the cylinders is passed through a cooler 32 en route to the sump 25, thus completing the cycle.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the numeral 33 designates a sprocket which is keyed to the shaft I2 and drivably connected to a sprocket 34 fast on a shaft 35 that is journaled in the rear wall I4. The shaft 35 provides drive for the oil pump 21 that is supported on the wall I4 and which draws oil from the lter 26 (see Fig. 4) through a pipe 36 (see Figs. 2 and 4). The relief valve 28 abuts the pump 21 on the discharge side thereof and is abutted in turn by the operating valve 29 (see Fig. 2), the pump and relief and operating valves constituting a compact pressure producing and control unit that is hung in an accessible location on the exterior of the housing I5 with the valves being attached to the pump by tie rods 31 (see Figs. 2, 6 and 9).

Referring to Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 7, the valve 28 comprises a casing 38 having in the face 39 thereof which abuts. the pump an elongated port 49 that connects the discharge side of the pump with the left end, as viewed in Fig. 5, of a cylindrical chamber 4| that extends lengthwise of the casing, or fore and aft of the transmission housing I5. The left end of the chamber 4I is in` cluded within'an end wall 42 of the casing which also serves to close the adjacent portion of the chamber While the opposite end of the chamber is closed by a cover 43. Between the cover 43 and the adjacent surface of the wall 42, the casing 38 is cored to provide upper and lower pockets 44 and 45, respectively, which extend oppositely from. and communicate with the chamber 4|, the width of each pocket being less than the diameter of the chamber 4|. The face of the cover 43 which abuts the casing 38 includes a vertically elongated recess 46 that registers with the pockets 44 and 45 and bridges the adjacent end of the chamber 4|. Slidably mounted in the chamber 4I is a valve 41 which on its right side, as viewed in Fig. 5, is cup-shaped as at 48 to receive one end of a helical spring 49 whose opposite end bears against a washer 50 that abuts the cover 43. The spring 49 normally urges the valve 41 to the closed position shown in Fig, 5 and a stop finger 5| extending from the left side of the valve 41 contacts the left end of the chamber 4| to prevent closing movement of the valve beyond the position shown in Fig. 5 and such that the valve never masks the port 40. The spring 49 is initially loaded in the particular arrangement disclosed to require a pressure of about one hundred pounds per square inch before the valve 41 will move in an opening direction towards the right to connect the port 40 with the pockets 44 and 45.

The cover 43 includes a low pressure passage 52 which provides communication between the recess 46 and a pipe 53 (see Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and '1) which leads to the cooler 32. The casing wall 42 is provided with horizontally disposed, L- shaped, low pressure passages 54 and 55, the former connecting at one end with the pocket 44 and the latter at one end with the pocket 45, and the opposite ends of both passages terminating at the face 56 of the casing 38 which is abutted by the operating valve 29. Also included within the end wall 42 is a port 51, similar in shape to the port 4D and opposltely related thereto, which extends between the chamber 4| and the casing face 56. Referring to Figs. 8, 9 and 10 which show the operating valve 29, the latter comprises a casing 58 having a bore 59 extending therethrough which is disposed generally fore and aft of thev transmission housing I5, the ends of the bore being closed by plates 6|) and 6|, Slidably mounted in the bore 59 is a piston valve 62 having intermediately formed thereon spaced, annular shoulders 63 and 64 which closely t the wall of the bore 59 and are connected by a portion 65 of reduced diameter. From the left end of the valve 62, as viewed in Fig. 8, a stern 66 extends through and in slidable and sealed relation to the plate 6||` and at its outer extremity carries a pin 61 Whose ends are engaged by the bifurcated parts formed on the lower, yokeshaped end of a, lever 68. The lever 68 is intermediately plvoted on a pin 69 that is bridged between arms 10-10 extending from the plate 60 and the upper portion of the lever is shaped as a hand grip 1| (see Figs. 1 and 2). In order to hold the valve 62 in any one of three positions, its right end is provided with annular grooves 12,

' 13 and 14 which are` slightly axially spaced from each other with the groove 12 being located adjacent the shoulder 84. The grooves 12, 13 and'14 are selectively engaged by oppositely positioned balls-15-15 which are mounted in cavities 18--18 ward, neutral and reverse positions of the valve The face 18 of the casing 58 abuts the face 58 of the relief valve casing 38 and a relatively small diameter passage 19 in the former casing always provides communication between the port 51 in the casing 38 and the annular chamber 80 in the bore 59 between the shoulders 63 and 84, regardless ofthe position of the valve 82. The ends of the low pressure passages 54 and 55 in the casing 38 which terminate at the face 58 thereof register, respectively, with the ends Aof passages 8| and 82 in the casing 58 which terminate at the face 18 thereof. The opposite ends of passages 8| and 82 communicate with low pressure chamber 83 forming a portion of the bore 59 between the plate 80 and the shoulder 83.

As noted in Fig. 8, an axial passage 84 extends through the valve 82 from the right end thereof to an annular enlargement 85 of the stem 88 which is positioned adjacent to and'on the stem side of the shoulder 83, the diameter of the enlargement being less than the diameter of the shoulder. Radial ports 88 in the enlargement 85 provide communication between the chamber 83 and the passage 84. From the shoulder 84 to the right end of the valve 62, the valve is relieved on opposite sides as indicatedvby the numeral' 81 in Figs. 8 and 9, thereby providing for flow of oil from the right end of the passage 84 and along the flattened portions of the valve under conditions presently described.

Passages 88 and 89 spaced axially of the bore 59 connect the latter with the inlet ends, respectively, of pipes 90 and 9| (see Figs. 1, 2, 3, 9, 10

' and 11) and the opposite ends of the pipes communicate, respectively, with ports 92 and 93 (see Figs. 1, 3 and 11) spaced axially along a hub 94 that is coaxial with the shaft I2 which extends externally of the wall I4. The hub 94 is flanged at one end as at 95 for attachment to the wall I4 and forms part of a collector liquid seal generally identified by the numeral 96. The hub 94 is spaced from the shaft I2 and in the annular space thus defined isA mounted a floating, carrier sleeve 91 having externally positioned thereon a plurality .of piston rings 98 which are spaced axially of the sleeve and have sealing contact with the interior of the hub 94. The sleeve 91 is heid against rotation in any approved manner, has journal relation to the shaft and itsfloating condition compensates for any misaiignment between the shaft and hub 94. A shaft seal .99 appropriately carried by the outer end of the hub 94 seals the latter in this location.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 11, it will be noted that four piston rings 98 are employed. one each being disposed adjacent the ends of the sleeve 91 and two intermediately positioned. An annular channel is out in the outer surface of the sleeve 91 to constantly register with the port 92v and located between the two piston rings which are remote from the housing I and a similar channel |0I is radially aligned in the inner surface of the sleeve, the two channels being connected by radial passages |02. An annular channel |03, similar to the channel |00, is

provided in the outer surface vof the sleeve 81 be' tween the two, innermost, piston rings 98 and in constant registration with the port 93. and radial passages |04 connect the channel |03 with an annular channel I 05 formed in the inner sur-` face of the sleeve. Radial passages |08 and |01 register at their outer ends with the channels IOI and |08, respective1yand provide constant communication therebetween and an axial bore |08 in the shaft |2 which extends from the outer end thereof and terminates midway between the pinions I8 and I1 (see Fig. 1).

Still referring toFig. 11, there is mounted in the bore |08 a tubular assembly for directing the oil flow to the clutches. Specifically, an inner tube |09 having a diameter substantially less than the diameter of the bore l|08 is positioned coaxially and with its left end abutting the inner end |I0 of the bore. At a convenient distance from the left end of the tube |09, a washer III is firmly attached thereto and serves to support the indicated end of the tube in the bore |08. The spacing of the washer II-I from the left end of the tube defines therewith and the bore |08 an annular chamber I|2 which communicates through an aperture I I3 with the interior of the tube and also with the inner end of a passage II4 that extends radially of the shaft I2.

A washer I I5 slidably encircles the tube |09 in spaced relation to and on the opposite side of the washer III with respect t'o the passage H4 and disposed between the washers is annular packing IIE. Telescoped over the tube |09 is a second tube |I1 whose outer diameter is suiliciently less than the diameter of the bore |08 to define therewith an annular passage I|8 which extends from the Washer II5 against which the left end of the tube I I1v abuts toa washer |I8 that also supportingly and slidably encircles the tube |09 and is abutted by the .right end of the tube I|1. The washer II9 and a similar washer |20 are spaced from each other and positioned between the radial passages |08 and |01, and between these washers is annular packing I2I. The passage I I8 provides communication between the radial passage |01 and hence the port 93, and the inner end of a passage |22 which extends radially outward of the shaft I2 and connects with one end ofa longitudinal groove |23 cut in the outer surface of the shaft and whose opposite end terminates generally midway of the pinions IIS` and I1 (see Figs. 1 and 3). A third tube |24 is telescoped over the tube |09 with its left end abutting the washer |20 and its right end extending beyond the adjacent end of the tube |09. The right vend of the tube |24 is contacted by one end of a helical spring |25 that is loaded by a plug |26 threaded in the outer end of the shaft I2. By suitably compressing the spring |25, it will be obvious that, since the washer I II provides a fixed abutment, the washers II5, II9 and |20, and the tubes II1 and |24 may be shifted towards the left to effect a squeezing of the packings IIS and channel |00, passage |02, channel |I, passages |08 and |08, aperture |28, tube |09, aperture H3,

and chamber ||2 to the passage ||4, while oil delivered to the port 93 flows by way of the channel |03, passage |04, channel |05, passages |01 and ||8 to the passage |22.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, a cylinder ring |29 is keyed to the shaft |2 substantially midway between the pinions I6 and I1 and secured to the left end of the ring, as viewed in said figure, by cap screws such `as |30 is a cup-shaped casing I3| whose peripheral portion is internally toothed for driving engagement with toothed clutch plates |32. The plates |32 are alternately related to similar plates |33 which are internally toothed for driving engagement with a toothed, tubular extension |34 forming part of the pinion I6. The radial portion of the casing I3| constitutes an abutment for the clutch plates |32 and |33 and the assemblage just described forms the forward drive clutch generally indicated by the numeral |35.

A cup-shaped casing |36, similar to the casing I3|, is secured to the right end of the cylinder ring |29 by screws |30 and the formers peripheral portion is internally toothed for driving engagement with toothed clutch plates |31 whichl are alternately arranged with respect to clutch plates |38 that are internally toothed for driving engagement with a toothed, tubular extension |39 forming part of the pinion |1. The radial portion o'f the casing |36 constitutes an abutment for the clutch plates |31 and |38 which together function as the reverse drive clutch generally indicated by the numeral |40 in Fig. 3.

The clutches |35 and |40 are hydraulically operated by annular pistons |4| and |42 which are slidable in annular cylinders 30 and 3|, all respectively,.recessed in opposite faces of the cylinder ring |29. The pistons |4| and |42 are piloted on the ends of a plurality of carrier blocks |43 spaced around the ring |29. Only one of such blocks is shown in Fig. 3 and each is slidable through a web |44 that separates the cylinders 30 and 3| and forms part of the ring |29. The pistons |4| and |42 are tied together and to the blocks |43 for simultaneous movement by means of cap screws |45 which extend through the blocks and as a means of returning the pistons to the neutral positions shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a plurality of release spring assemblies are spaced around the cylinder ring |29, only one of which is illustrated in the last noted figures.

Each springl assembly comprises a pair of springs |49 and |41 whose inner ends abutopposite sides of the web |44 and Whose outer ends bear against the outer, flanged ends of sleeves |43 and |49, all respectively. The last named ends of the sleeves |48 and |49 limit inward movement of the pistons |4| and |42 when neither piston is subjected to a pressure which engages the associated clutch and outward extensions of the springs are limited by hooking the inner ends of the sleeves |48 and |49 over the outer ends of bushings |50 and |5|, respectively, which are clamped against the opposite.

sides of the web |44 by a common bolt |52. From the foregoing, it will be understood that whenever either piston is moved to engage its clutch, the springs on the opposite side of the web |44 are compressed and since the pistons are linked for simultaneous movement, energy is thus stored for returning the pistons to the neutral positions shown when the pressure actuating the then clutch engaging piston is released.

A's noted in Figs. 1 and 3, oil under pressure 4is supplied to the cylinder 30 through a radial The operation of the transmission will now be described. In the position of parts as illustrated in the drawings, the engine to which the transmission is connected is not running and the operating valve 29 is in a neutral position (see Fig. 8). Since the shaft I2 is not rotating, the oil pump 36 is not being driven and pressure in the hydraulic system stands at zero so that the relief valve 28 is closed (see Fig. 5) and the springs |48 and |49 hold the pistons |4| and |42 in the neutral positions shown in Fig. 3.

When the engine is idling, the shaft l2 rotates and the pump 21 draws oil from the sump 25 through the lter 2B and delivers it under pressure to the port 40 in the relief valve 28 (see Figs. 5 and 6). During the initial period of engine operation, the relief valve elerunent 41 occupies the closed position shown in Fig. 5 and, at this stage, the oil ows through the chamber 4|, port 51 and passage 19 into the chamber 80 of the operating valve 29 (see Figs. 8 and 9). The valve 29 is then in the neutral position shown 1n Fig. 8 and the shoulders 63 and 84 thereof partly mask the inlets of and prevent direct ow from the chamber to the passages 89 and'88, respectively, the oil thus being dammed in the last noted chamber. the inlets to the passages 89 and 88 are not masked for a purpose presently explained. Generally speaking, when the valve 62 is in the neutral position shown, the shoulders 63 and 64 mask the inner halves of the inlets to the passages 89 and 88, respectively, leaving the outer halves of these inlets uncovered. Pressure therefore builds up in the line between the pump 21 and the chamber 80 and when it exceeds the loading of the spring 49 in the relief valve 28, which loading will be assumed as being one hundred pounds per square inch, the valve element 41 opens and bleeds the oil into the pockets 44 and 45. Part of this bled oil ows through the low pressure passages 54 and 55 in the relief valve casing 38 and the communicating passages 8| and 82, respectively, in the operating valve casing 58 into the chamber 83 in the last named casing.

In the chamber 83, the oil divides, part flow--v ing direct to the passage 89 as permitted by the enlargement 85 and thence through the pipe 8| and associated conduit means in the shaft I2 and hub 84, as above described (see Figs. 1, 3, 10 and 11), to the reverse drive cylinder 3|. The other portion of the oil 'in the chamber 83 ows through the ports 86 in the enlargement 85 into the passage 84 and thence along the relieved sides 81 of the grooved end of the valve 62 to the passage 88. Thereafter, this oil stream flows through the pipe 90 and the associated conduit means in the shaft |2 and hub 94 to the forward drive cylinder 30, thus completely filling both cylinders with oil.

The pressure of the oil in the cylinders 30 and 3| with the operating valve in the neutral posi-v The remaining portions of 52 and pipe 53 to the cooler 32 and thence to the sump 25. I'he resistance thus imposed on the overflow to the sump creates a` pressure of about ve pounds per square inch which will be aboutv the pressure on the oil in the cylinders 30 and 3|. This arrangement maintains each cylinder filled with oil at all times, thus compensating for leakage past the piston rings and promoting quicker engaging movement of either piston since it is unnecessary to first flll the associated cylinder.

`To engage the forward drive clutch |35, for example, the operating valve handle 68 is rocked counterclockwise to shift the valve 62 towards the right, -as viewed in Fig. 8, until the balls 15 engage the groove 12 whichr determines the forward drive position of the valve 62. The shoulder 64 then has been moved sufficiently to uncover the portion of the inlet to the passage 88 theretofore masked so that high pressure oil may flow direct from the restricted passage 19 across the chamber 80 to the passage 88 and thence to the forward drive cylinder 30, while atthe same time, the shoulder 64 masks that portion of the inlet to the passage 88 which had been .open to low pressure oil flowing out of the passage 84. The

piston |4| is accordingly shifted towards the left (see Fig. 3) to engage the forward drive clutch |35 and thus establish drive through the pinion |6,and connected gearing to the shaft 20. At the same time, the shoulder 63 further uncovers the inlet to the passage 89 so that only low pressure oil continues to flow to the cylinder 3|. Specifically, the pressure in the cylinder 30 is about equal to the pressure at which the valve element 418 (see Fig. 5) relieves, for example, one hundred pounds per square inch, while that in the cylinder 3| is about equal to the pressure in the pockets 44 and 45, or about five pounds per square inch.

To reverse the drive through the transmission, the operating valve handle 68 is rocked clockwise (see Fig. 8), thus shifting the valve 62 towards the left until the balls 15 seat in the groove 14. 'I'he shoulder 63 then prevents low pressure oil from flowing to the passage 89 while uncover- .ing this passagefor direct ycommunication with the high pressure passage 19, thus enabling high pressure oil to flow to the cylinder 3| and shift the piston |42 to engage the reverse drive clutch |40. At the same time, the shoulder 64 is moved to completely uncover the inlet to the passage 88 for the admission of low pressure oil from the passage 84 in the valve 62 while preventing high pressure oil from reaching the passage 88. The reversing clutch |40 is thus engaged and the forward clutch |35 disengaged. The `disengagement of the latter clutch is assisted by the extending action of the springs. |41 (see Fig. 3) which werel compressed when the direct drive piston |4| was engaged and release for'the reversing piston |42 will be provided by the springs |46 when the drive through the transmission is shifted from reverse to direct, or to neutral.

A feature of the construction resides in the re stricted passage 19 in the operating valve casing 58 (see Figs. 8 and 9). As already noted, this passage constitutes a part of the high pressure oil line to the cylinder of the clutch being engaged and its purpose is to control the ow of oil so that it is not fed toov rapidly to the cylinder in the in` itial stage of clutch engagement, thus providing for relatively slow and cushioned take-up of the load.

The tying of the pistons `|4| and |42 together through the shaft |2 to the cylinders 30 and 3| is a further feature ofthe invention. The use of the telescoped, tubular construction provides a relatively simple and inexpensive arrangement for separating the oil passages and requires only a single bore in the shaft.

As a safety measure for use in the event that oil pressure should fail and to insure power drive through the vtransmission in either direction, a

spacer ring |55, preferably'segmented (seeFigs. 1 and 3), is normally clamped between the cylinder ring |29 and the peripheral portion of the casing |3| by the cap screws |30 and like screws |30 normally clamp a spacer ring 56, also preferably segmented, between the ring |29 and the peripheral portion of the casing |36. The thickness of each spacer ring is such as to enable the plates of the clutch associated therewith to freely separate and assume released positions. Hence, if hydraulic `operation becomes impossible and forward drive is desired, it is merely necessary to remove the spacer ring |55 and tighten the associated screws |30 until theplates |32 and |33 are clamped between the casing |3| and the cylinder ring |29. For reverse drive, the spacer ring |56 is removed and the associated bolts |30 tightened to clamp the plates |31 and |38.

Where transmissions of this type are employed.

in marine service, provision must be made for taking the thrust of the propeller shaft. In small craft installations, this problemis ordinarily met by transferring the thrust to the housing of the transmission which is bolted to the hull. This construction requires a relatively heavy housing i which is objectionable in small boats. In the present instance, this problem is solved by transferring the. thrust to a sturdy cross arm whose ends are anchored to the hull and whichis associated with a bearing in which the countershaft 20 is journaled.

Referring to Figs. land 2, the numeral |51 designatesy the cross arm which is disposed transversely of the shaft 20 and externally of the housing l5. The central portion |58 of the arm encircles the coupling part 2| and abuts the housing wall |4 while the oppositely extending ends |59|59 are rigidly secured to the hull |60. The shaft 20 is journaled in a pair of abutting, thrust, ball bearings |6|-|6| which are carried in a sleeve |62 having an annular retaining flange |63 which bears against the outer race of V the inner bearing |6|, the inner race of the outer bearing |6| -fbeing contacted by the coupling part 2|. The arm portion |58 and the sleeve |62 are secured together vby bolts |64 extending through the housing wall |4. From the foregoing, it will be obvious that the propeller thrust applied to the coupling part 2| is transmtted through the bearings |6|, sleeve |62 and bolts |64 to the cross arm |51 and thence to the hull.

Where a cooler 32 is not used with the transmission, an auxiliary, pressure relieving means must be used in conjunction with the main relief 11 valve to insure the desired low pressure in either or both of the .cylinders The modified relief valve is identical with the valve shown in Fig. 5, except for the auxiliary feature, so like parts are identified by like numerals primed.

Referring to Figs. 14 and 15, the relief valve casing 38' is closed by a cover |65 whose inner face includes a recess |66, similar to the recess 46, which registers with the pockets 44' and 45 and bridges the adjacent end of the chamber 4|'. The cover is also provided with a chamber |61 which is aligned with the 'chamber 4|' and pro.- vides a means of communication between the recess |66 and a lateral passage |68 when the latter is uncovered by the auxiliary valve means presently described. The passage |68 connects through a pipe |66 with the sump 25.

An auxiliary relief valve is slidable in the chamber |61 and its right end, as viewed in Fig. 14, is cup-shaped to provide an annular wall |1 A helical spring |12 is interposed between the closed end of the chamber |61 and the cupshaped end of the valve |10 and tends to maintain the valve in the position shown in Fig. 14 wherein it denies communication between the recess |66 and the passage |68. A stop finger |13 extends from the left end of the valve |10 into limiting contact with the washer 50. An annular groove |14 is cut in the outer surface of the wall |1| and communicates through a radial port |15 in the wall with that portion of the chamber |61 on the cup-shaped side of the valve |10. In all positions of the valve, the groove |14 is in communication with the passage |68 so that the only restraint on opening movements of the valve is that imposed by the spring |12.

Under operating conditions, whenever the main relief valve 48' opens, as above described for the valve 48, pressure in the pockets 44' and 45 will be determined by the loading of'the spring |12 which is about five pounds per square inch. When this pressure is exceeded, the auxiliary relief valve |10 shifts to the right to uncover the passage |68 and discharge the excess or overflow oil to the sump through the pipe |69. Hence, when the operating valve 29 is in a neutral position, the valve |10 establishes a pressure of about five pounds in the cylinders 30 and 3| and the same pressure in that cylinder which forms a part of the released clutch when the other clutch is engaged. Otherwise, the valve shown in Fig. 14 operates in the same manner as that shown in Fig. 5.

I claim:

1. In a power transmission, the combination of a pair of clutches selectively engageable to control drive through the transmission, separate hydraulically actuated means each comprising a cyilnder and a piston mounted therein for engaging the associated clutch, the pistons being connected for simultaneous-movement, a pump for supplying liquid under pressure to the-cylinders, and valve means for controlling flow of the liquid and shiftable between positions determining an engagement of either piston and the release of the other and including means for simultaneously establishing a pressure in either cylinder suiiicient to move the associated piston to engage its clutcih and a lower pressure in the other cylinder suflicient to maintain a iilling of the same.

y 2. In a power transmission, the combination cylinder and a piston mounted therein for engaging the associated clutch, the pistons being connected for simultaneous movement, and a hydraulic circuit of which each cylinder constitutes a part comprising a liquid source, a pump for supplying liquid under pressure from the source to the cylinders, and control means for the liquid discharged by the pump comprising an operating valve shiftable between positions determining an engagement of either piston and the release `of the other, a pressure relief valve associated with the operating valve and cylinders and arranged to establish a predetermined liquid pressure in the cylinder of the engaged piston, and conduit means connecting the discharge side of the relief valve and source, the iiow resistance exercised by the conduit means setting up a relatively lower -pressure in the cylinder of the unengaged piston.

3. In a power transmission, the combination of a pair of clutches selectively engageable to control drive through -the transmission, separate hydraulically actuated means each comprising a cylinder and a piston mounted therein for engaging the associated clutch, the pistons being connected for simultaneous movement, and a hydraulic circuit of which each cylinder constitutes a part comprising a liquid source, a pump for supplying liquid under pressure from the source to the cylinders, and control means for the liquid discharged by the pump comprising an operating valve shiftable between positions determining an engagement of either piston and the release of the other, a pressure relief valve associated with the operating valve and cylinders and arranged to establish a predetermined liquid pressure in the cylinder of the engaged piston, and a cooler `connecting the discharge side of the relief valve and source, the iiow resistance exercised by the cooler setting a relatively lower pressure in the cylinder of the unengaged piston.

4. In a power transmission, the combination of a pair of clutches selectively engageable to control drive through the transmission, separate hydraulically actuated means each comprising a cylinder and a piston mounted therein for engaging the associated clutch, the pistons being connected for simultaneous movement, and a hy` draulic circuit of which each cylinder constitutes a part comprising a liquid source, a pump for supplying liquid under pressure from the source to the cylinders, and control means for the liquid discharged by the pump comprising an operating valve'shiftable between positions determining an engagement of either piston and the release of the other, a main pressure relief valve associated with the operating valve and cylinders and arranged to establish a predetermined liquid pressure in the cylinder of the engaged piston, and an auxiliary, pressure relief valve interposed. between the discharge side of the main relief valve and source and adapted to establish a predetermined, relatively lower pressure in the cylinder of the unengaged piston.

5. In a power transmission, the combination of a pair of clutches selectively engageable to control drive through the transmission, separate hydraulically actuated means each comprising a cylinder and a piston mounted therein for engaging the associated clutch, the pistons being u connected for simultaneous movement, a pump of a pair of clutches selectively engageable to for supplying liquid under pressure to the Cylinders, valve means for controlling flow of the liquid and shiftable between positions determining a release of both pistons and engagement of 13 either piston and the release of the other and including means for simultaneously establishing a pressure in either cylinder suflcient to move the associated piston to engage its clutch and a lower pressure in the other cylinder suflcient to maintain a filling of the same, and means for moving both pistons when unengaged to release position.

6. In clutch mechanism, the combination of a pair of clutches having a common shaftand connected to separate rotary parts, respectively, the shaft having a longitudinal bore extendingfrom one end thereof and terminating adjacent the clutches, hydraulically actuated means comprising a pair of cylinders connected to the shaft and each having a piston slidable therein for engaging an associated clutch, tube means extending through and spaced from the bore to define therewith an annular passage, the opposite ends of the tube means communicating with the passage, means of communication spaced along the shaft wonnecting the passage with the cylinders, respe tivelyrconduits spaced along the shaft for 14 to the ring, a second, compressible, sealing ring in the passage between the conduits and slidable along the tube, yieldabley means for compressing the second ring, means for transferring the compressing force on the second ring to the first ring, and means closing the bore at the shaft end thereof;

8. In clutch mechanism, the combination of a pair of clutches having a common shaft and connected to separate rotary parts, respectively, the shaft having a longitudinal bore extending from oneend thereof and terminating adjacent the clutches, hydraulically actuated means comprising a pair of cylinders connected to the shaft and each having a piston slidable therein for engagig an associated clutch, a tube extendin/g/ Y through and spaced from the vbore to dei-lne therewith Van annular passage, the opposite ends of the tube communicating with the passage, means of communication spaced along the shaft and connecting the passage with the cylinders, respectively, conduits spaced along the shaft for supplying working liquid to the passage, a first,

supplying liquid tomsggese 'mrnwompressible sealingiing in the passage between the passage between the means of communication and between the conduits whereby liquid from* the conduits ows to the cylinders, respectively,

and means closing the bore at the shaft endv 7. In clutch mechanism, the combination of a pair of clutches having a common shaft and connected to separate rotary parts, respectively, the

shaft having a longitudinal bore extending from one end thereof and terminating adjacent the clutches, hydraulically actuated means comprising a pair of cylinders connected to .the shaft and each having a piston slidable therein for engaging an associated clutch, a tube extending through and spaced from the boreto -dene therewith an annular passage, the opposite ends of the 40 tube communicating with 'the passage, means of the means of communication, an abutment secured to and encircling the tube in juxtaposition' to the ring, a second, compressible, sealing ring s in the passage between the conduits and slidable along the tubertubes telescoped along the first named tube in spacd'relatin to eachotheig'one' telescoping tube being disposed between the rings and the other extending from the second ring beyond the adjacent end of the llrst named tube, ,yieldable Vmeans exerting pressure against said other telescoping tube and through the second ring, rst named telescoping tube andfirst ring against the abutment, and means closing the bore at the shaft end thereof.

HARRY H. VANDERZEE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,827,811 Derrick Oct. 20'. 1931 1,953,568 Rose Apr. 3, 1934 

